So, I'd like to walk the GR 20 and HRP this summer starting mid June. I have planned about 3 weeks for the GR 20 and hope to be able to climb some peaks and have a look around instead of blasting through there. With a couple days to get from Corsica to the start of the HRP it would mean that I would start walking in the Pyrenees around the 10 July.

As I understand it around that time there is probably a bit of snow remaining. If possible I'd like to avoid carrying any gear for that though. Does anyone who has done the HRP know wether snowy areas are easy to avoid and if you walk around them do you miss a lot? Also, which direction would be best to give the snow more time to melt. East - west or west - east?

Should I decide to carry snow gear, any recommendations? As far as I can see the Camp Corsa would be the best ice axe. Are there any other self arrest tools that work well? Also could anyone who has used microspikes tell me how well (or not) they work? At the moment I don't think they look very trusty, but I have zero experience with them.

And I'm a type 1 diabetic and in my experience I need quite a lot of sugar at some point. Does anyone know if the shops on the way sell sugary sweets (i.e. low fat, high suger)?

Sure. But I might have to carry quite a lot of them if I'm away from home for more then a month. Sugar is used here with the meaning of something sweet. I admit I'm a bit lost when it comes to specialised terms for foods or ingredients. I know them in German though ;)

"How much snow is on the tops will vary from year to year. It is not predictable."

I know. And I was rather hoping to find out a) how much of the route is actually snow prone and b) if taking a lower route without missing the best part can be done.

"I carry a Steve Evans carbon fibre/titanium ice axe."

I saw the MYOG article here and they do look sweet. And a bit pricey for something I usually don't need. Sadly. I aso read your potty trowel review and it was the first thing I tried to find. But ULA doesn't build them any longer apparently.

I started a thread a week or so ago in regard to the Pyrenean Traverse that has generated some useful info, IMO. There is a post there by another member who also has Type 1 DM, I think. http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=77858

Look forward to watching this thread.

Thanks.

PS. As for the gear, I will also take CAMP Corsa 60cm and Katoohla Microspikes...depending on reports. I would like to do some of the classic peaks and for these I think there is a good possibility that slightly sturdier footwear and appropriate strap on crampons might be preferable. I would like to find a way to have the gear when I need it and not carry it when I don't...without just giving away too much stuff! Those are my initial feelings. Anyway, I don't think it is worth getting all excited about specific gear. There are options and no, I don't think using an alternative routing here and there will detract from the spirit of the traverse! HRP is a "concept" not a strict routing...isn't that what Joosten says?